Parade Registration - Single Boat Opens January 1, 2017Parade Registration - Fleet Opens January 1, 2017Dock 0 Registration Because of the over popularity, Dock 0
is limited to Parade Participants or by
Invitation only.

Opening Day Information

The table entries below contain a wealth of information about Opening Day, its background, rules and regulations, and how to do 'stuff'. Please read the material by clicking on the heading of the item in the table.

In furtherance of the responsibility to protect life and property on the waters of the city and in exercise of the authority granted by Ordinance 87983, as amended, the Port Warden (Chief of Police) hereby designates the following permitted anchorage area:

Event:

Opening Day of Boating Season Parade

Desiqnated Anchoraqe Area:

The waters along the south side of the Lake Washington Ship canal from the east end of the Mountlake cut to the East terminus of the Lake Washington Ship canal (approximately Webster Point).

Effective Period:

This regulation will be in effect from Noon (1200 hours) on Wednesday May 3 st 2017 though Noon (1200 hours) on Sunday May 7 th 2013.

Special Requlations:

1 . Anchored vessels shall not be left unattended overnight or for a prolonged period of time during the day (more than 4 hours).

a.Small rafts of vessels may be monitored by a responsible party tied along side, provided they have the ability to contact the owner and have the ability to access the cabin in the event of an emergency.

b..lt is allowed that the owner may leave the vessel to transport passengers and supplies to and from the vessel, get a meal and walk pets.

2. No spectators shall anchor, block, loiter in, or impede the through transit of traffic in navigable waters of the Lake Washington Ship Canal or any portion of Union Bay.

It shall be permissible to for vessel operator to drop an anchor in Union bay as long as the vessel is being tied, stern to, on the spectator Log Boom.

Vessel anchoring along the south side may drop a secondary anchor in the Lake Washington Ship canal as a stern anchor, provided that they do so without obstructing the flow of commercial traffic and that no portion of the vessel is floating within the navigable waters of the ship canal or race course. (the vessel owner shall adjust the anchorage when told to do so by members

of the Seattle Police harbor patrol unit or designated safety vessels from the Seattle Yacht club and University of Washington crew) Vessels anchoring along the south side shall not secure any lines to the shore, trees, benches, docks or walk ways of the Arboretum the pilings that are on the east and west side of Foster Island or the Fountain.

All boats must check in upon arrival, no earlier than Sunday, April 30, 2017. We need a contact name and phone number as well as the number of people on board.

All skippers must fill out the fire plan. A copy will be kept at the front desk and a second copy should be kept on the boat. It is encouraged that all on board are made familiar with the fire plan. Part of the fire plan is that skippers will have fire extinguishers on their boat and will spend the nights on their boats while on Dock 0. It may be possible to have a skipper who is rafted to you monitor your boat if that plan is arranged with and approved by the Dock 0 moorage director. No open flames are permitted on Dock 0! This includes barbecues, tiki torches, blow torches, flame throwers, etc.

As a courtesy to other boaters, generators and diesel furnaces shall not be operated before 0700 or after 2200 hours.

Skippers of each boat with pets aboard will be held responsible for the actions of their pets at all times aboard and ashore. Dogs MUST be kept on a leash at all times while off the boat. This includes floats, docks, lawns, etc. No pets are allowed in the clubhouse, rest rooms or showers at any time. Skippers will clean up after their pets.

Use of conventional marine toilets with overboard discharge of untreated waste is prohibited.

Dock 0 Fire Plan

Statement of Purpose

This Fire Plan is a supplement to the SYC Portage Bay Dock Fire Plan. Dock 0 represents a new set of circumstances that require site specific responses.

Equipment

2A20BC extinguishers to be distributed the length of Dock 0. Rented from Western Fire and Safety, 12 units for 880’ of dock, approximately 75’ spacing, mounted on poles.

Portable water pump (gas powered) located at the head of the dock.

Steel cable, fire ax and assorted firefighting equipment located in fire box at head of Dock 1.

Dedicated response boat secured to the end of Dock 0, keys in the control of the watch officers. Boat is equipped with towing bollard and wire cable.

Watch System

We will establish a watch system to supplement the facilities staff of Seattle Yacht Club. Currently the facilities staff makes an hourly survey of all docks. This will continue and we will add two people on a 2-hour rotation from 2200 hours to 0600 hours starting the evening Wednesday, May 3 through the morning of Sunday, May 7.

There will be a designated watch captain for each night that will have responsibility for that evening’s rotation. There will be a log kept to indicate who was on watch. The log will be in the form of a check in sheet that will have space to indicate the watch stander’s name, club affiliation, boat name and contact information as well as time on duty. The log will be kept at the front desk of the Seattle Yacht Club.

Watch officers will be equipped with a radio tuned to the frequency that is monitored by the front desk and facilities staff. They will also have cell phones for contacting the 9-1-1 operator in the event that it becomes necessary.

If, at the end of any watch, the next person, or persons, scheduled for watch duty do not show up, the watch standers will report to the watch captain for that evening. He will decide if they should continue, if they are alert, or if he will take the next watch. If neither of those options is possible, the watch captain will notify Bob Morgan via cellular phone at (206) 931-8788who will have final responsibility for staffing the next watch.

Communications

In the event of an emergency, the occupants of any boat who observe a fire shall call 9-1-1 and tell the operator that there is a boat fire, or describe other emergencies, at Seattle Yacht Club, 1807 East Hamlin Street. The next point of contact should be the watch officers on duty at the time. This should be accomplished by sounding five short blasts of the boat’s horn to attract the attention of the on duty watch. The on duty watch officers will then:

Contact the on duty facilities staff to make sure that there is an area cleared for the responding vehicles. The on duty Maintenance Duty Person is in initial charge of emergency response at Seattle Yacht Club.

On VHF Channel 16 notify the Harbor Patrol of the emergency.

In the event of fire aboard a boat begin waking the crew of neighboring boats in order that they may be moved away from the fire. In the event that a boat cannot be moved (for example a boat rafted inside of a burning boat) make sure that all such boats are evacuated.

Station one of the watch officers at the head of Dock 0 to assist responders. This will insure that responders will reach any boat with a non evident (medical) emergency as soon as possible.

In the event that the watch officers discover the emergency (fire, someone in the water, etc.) their first response should be a call to 9-1-1. Then they can proceed to the steps outlined above.

Evacuation and Access

A Fire Department access lane shall be maintained through the parking lot to Dock 0 at all times. No parking will be allowed in this lane at any time.

In addition, at the West end of Dock 0, a dedicated public safety area will be maintained as a dedicated landing area for public safety vessels. No moorage will be allowed in this area at any time.

In the event of a boat fire, that boat is not to be set free. If it appears that the initial fire cannot be controlled, the best option may be to take it under tow using the dedicated Fire Response boat that is equipped with towing bollard and steel cable. Under no circumstance is the boat to be cast adrift. Boats in the vicinity of the burning boat are to move away from the dock and the burning boat so that the fire does not spread.

In the event of a medical emergency, guests shall stay on their boats and keep the dock clear for medical units that may be responding to the emergency.

In the event of a fire, only those people necessary for moving boats away from the dock shall remain on board. All other guests are to evacuate the dock and report to the Concierge desk, located at the South West corner of the clubhouse. A list of guests will be maintained at the front desk, there will be a copy at the Concierge desk. If the Concierge desk is closed for the day, a watch officer will be stationed there to check guests in.

Boats that leave Dock 0 will keep clear of the dock and be aware of any water born response.

Boats that leave Dock 0 in a fire emergency are requested to monitor Channel 68. Instructions concerning a return to Dock 0 will be given on that channel.

In the event of an evacuation, Seattle Yacht Club and the Dock 0 committee will rely on the registration form that the boat’s captain must file on arrival at Dock 0 to make sure that all guests are accounted for. Boat captains are responsible for their guests and shall keep the committee informed of any changes in their guest list.

In order to facilitate access for any emergency response, guests shall keep the dock clear of any chairs, tables, ice chests or any item that could block access. We must make sure that there are no impediments to swift response.

Parking

Wireless Internet Services at Seattle Yacht Club

The Club’s wifi network will be opened to public users of Dock 0 and visitors to Mainstation during the Opening Day festivities. The wifi service name (SSID) is SYCguest.
A password key is not required.

SYC Dock 0

History of Opening Day

Opening Day, the official opening of Seattle's boating season sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club, includes a celebration of many kinds of water activities. This year's festivities will include a morning of crew races, a sailboat race, and, of course, the grand Opening Day boat parade on Saturday, May 6, 2017.

From its earliest days Seattle has celebrated important occasions with water festivities.

One particularly notable early celebration was scheduled for the Fourth of July 1895. The papers reported that the Elliott Bay Yacht Club, the forerunner of the Seattle Yacht Club, held a regatta including several classes of boats in Elliott Bay. The grand climax was to be an illuminated naval parade at 9:00 p.m. on the bay followed by a naval sham battle. The Post Intelligencer described the scheduled events: " . . .a monitor is to be bombarded and then blown up. . . The parade will consist of two lines of yachts, brilliantly illuminated with Japanese lanterns and armed with Roman candles instead of cannons. The monitor will run the gauntlet, spitting red and blue balls at the fleet, which in return will bombard the monitor until her magazine catches fire and she blows up, throwing out myriads of stars, balls and rockets." Alas, the wind was too great for the event, extinguishing the candles, and the yachtsman and spectators went home disappointed.

In May 1908, the battleship brigade, later known as the Great White Fleet, stopped in Seattle on its round the world tour. Seattle organizers festooned the city, held land and water parades, dances and receptions to honor the fleet. Area yachtsman organized a welcoming committee to sail out and meet the visiting armada as it sailed into Elliott Bay.

The following year Seattle hosted the Alaskan-Yukon Exposition on the University of Washington campus. The Seattle Yacht Club acted as the official host to visiting boatmen. As part of the festivities, the Commodore and his club members arranged a public "Potlatch Parade" which took place at the Seattle Yacht Club clubhouse, which was still located in West Seattle.

According to the 1964 reminiscences of a Seattle Yacht Club member, the first Opening Day took place in early May 1913. He recalled a parade and a regatta in Elliott Bay.

The first Opening Day parade through the Montlake Cut was in 1920 after the Seattle Yacht Club moved to its new (and present) facilities in Portage Bay. Spectators lined both sides of the Cut to view the 25 or 30 boats as they paraded by, flying their dress flags. The boats finished the celebration with a regatta in Lake Washington sponsored by the Queen City Yacht Club.

The Opening Day Parade and Regatta became a spring tradition, which survived the war years. Opening Day 1946, was the biggest and most festive ever. It included members of every yacht club in Puget Sound and the Royal Vancouver and the Royal Victoria Yacht Clubs from British Columbia, Canada.

A theme was first used for the 1959 Opening Day, Hell's a Poppin, and, since then, participants have decorated their boats around a theme. Prizes are awarded to the best-decorated and best-dressed boats in several categories.

Over the years, Opening Day activities have changed. Events such as the University of Washington crew races have become a part of the day's traditional festivities. Many spectators watch these popular races through the Montlake Cut from the shore, boats or TV. Opening Day 2017 marks the 31th anniversary of the Windermere Cup.

The commissioning ceremony on the Seattle Yacht Club lawn is attended by the Commodores of participating yacht clubs and starts off the Opening Day festivities. The clubs' burgees are hoisted, dignitaries are recognized, the Chaplin says a prayer, and the band plays!

As always, the Opening Day Parade starts at noon the first Saturday in May with the blast of a cannon and the raising of the Montlake Bridge. Seattle Yacht Club's Opening Day has become the nation's largest regional celebration of water, spring and the opening of boating season.

Participating yachts will be decorated to illustrate this year's theme for Opening Day, "Emerald City Aahs!".

And, if tradition is honored, there will be sunshine, breezes and, maybe, a few showers.

Opening Day in Seattle is a family affair; families decorate their boats for the festivities and parades; families spread blankets on the shoreline and spend hours watching and picnicking. Families dream of the boats they someday will own.

The boating season officially never ends in the Seattle area. It tapers off during the blustery, wet days of winter, but the faithful keep sailing and cruising. Opening Day, however, kicks off a busy spring and summer of boating for many avid boaters in the Seattle area.

Opening Day offers some outstanding photo and story opportunities. You'll not find anything like it in the U.S. or, to our knowledge, in the world. The only thing comparable is an annual parade of commercial vessels in Venice, Italy.

Log Boom Moorage Information

Please refer to Map for the parade route, log boom location and other information. The log boom is on the Northern boundary of the parade route. Note that additional moorage is available on the South side of the parade route near Foster Island.

The log boom is provided by the Seattle Yacht Club and the University of Washington. You use it at your own risk. Neither the Seattle Yacht Club nor the University of Washington are responsible for any injury or damage claims. Please use good judgement and good nautical practices when maneuvering and mooring. Pay attention to weather conditions, and help your fellow boaters.

This is a volunteer effort. If all goes well, the log boom will be installed the Thursday before Opening Day, and removed the Monday following.

Guidelines for Using the Log Boom Moorage

Please respect the clearly marked area on the West (shore) end of the log boom reserved for University of Washington VIPs.

On Opening Day, no watercraft may cross or be on the parade route while it is closed. The parade route closes at 0940 and does not reopen until the SYC Marshall Boats announce the parade route has reopended, which will be sometime after 1430, depending on the length of the parade.

Moorage is "first come, first served". You may save a spot for your buddy who is a few minutes behind you, but DO NOT try to reserve multiple spots with line, tape or other devices. Please welcome your neighbors. You will meet some great boaters.

This class allows flag officers to represent their yacht club or boating organization and salute Opening Day officials, while passing in review. This class will not be judged, but each boat (power or sail) will be dressed in proper nautical flags, and the crew will be dressed in proper nautical attire. Any yacht club or boating organization is limited to one entry in this class.

Saluting – The Opening Day Committee requests that you salute the Admiral of Opening Day only. He, the Vice Admiral and the Admiralette will be standing on a transom platform on the second VIP vessel on the starboard side after you exit the ship canal going east. The Judges’ vessel will be the vessel immediately following the Admiral’s vessel.

Classic Sail and Classic Power

Any restored boat (power or sail) whose restoration is in keeping with the original design. Minimum age for a powerboat entry is 40 years; sailboat 25 years. One boat per entry. Any yacht club, boating organization or individual may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: hull, paint and brightwork, restoration of original vessel, nautical appearance of crew and total overall impression.

Dressed Sail and Dressed Power

Any single boat (power or sail), with an overall nautical appearance and proper use of dress flags. Only nautical signal flags may be used. Each entry is limited to one boat. Any yacht club, boating organization or individual may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: ships' company at attention, proper use of nautical flags, consistent attire of crew, overall appearance and proper Captain's salute to reviewing party (Admiral, Vice Admiral and Admiralette).

Any fleet of five or more boats (power or sail), which exhibits good seamanship. Each fleet will be considered one entry. Any yacht club, boating organization or group of individuals may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: fleet spacing and maneuvering, fleet holding position, fleet crews at attention, fleet consistent attire and fleet overall nautical appearance.

Saluting – The Opening Day Committee requests that you salute the Admiral of Opening Day only. He, the Vice Admiral and the Admiralette will be standing on a transom platform on the third VIP vessel on the starboard side after you exit the ship canal going east. The Judges’ vessel will be the vessel immediately following the Admiral’s vessel.

This class is for sailboats that wish to transit the parade route with their spinnaker flying (as wind allows). Boats must have an engine running for safety for the entire length of the parade route. Skippers must transit the parade route with bow forward (do not power through in reverse to fill your spinnaker). Skippers must maintain safe speed and separation when flying a spinnaker. This class is not judged.

Youth Sponsored Decorated

Any single boat (power or sail), sponsored by any yacht club or boating organization's youth group (aged 21 or younger) that decorates to the established Opening Day theme. Each entry must be substantially decorated, with decorations visible on both sides. The decorations must be completely designed and executed by the youth group. Each entry is limited to one boat. Any yacht club or boating organization may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: adherence to theme, originality, costumes, use of sound and overall impact.

Sponsored Decorated

Any single boat (power or sail), sponsored by any yacht club or boating organization that decorates to the established Opening Day theme. Each entry must be substantially decorated with decorations visible on both sides. Each entry is limited to one boat. Any yacht club or boating organization may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: adherence to theme, originality, costumes, use of sound and overall impact.

Decorated Sail and Decorated Power

Any single boat (power or sail), not sponsored by a yacht club or boating organization that decorates to the established Opening Day theme. Each entry must be substantially decorated, with decorations visible on both sides. Each entry is limited to one boat. Any individual may enter. Any yacht club or boating organization may have more than one member who enters this class, so long as the entry is not sponsored by the club or organization. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: adherence to theme, originality, costumes, use of sound and overall impact.

Novelty Decorated

Any single boat, or fleet of boats (power or sail), that is decorated in a humorous or novelty manner, to the established Opening Day theme. Each single entry or fleet (fleet = four or more boats) will be considered one entry. Any yacht club, boating organization or individual may have more than one entry in this class. Each entry must be substantially decorated with decorations visible on both sides. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: adherence to theme, originality, costumes, use of sound and overall impact.

Spirit

Any fleet (fleet = four or more boats), which exhibits crowd-pleasing spirit AND enthusiasm in attire, decorations and actions. Each fleet will be considered one entry. Only one entry will be accepted from any yacht club, boating organization or group of individuals. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: crew and guest actions, attire, fleet spirit, fleet seamanship and fleet overall look. The use of advertising is NOT permitted. Proper etiquette and attire will be strictly enforced.

Decorated Commercial

Any single boat or fleet of boats (power or sail) decorated to the established Opening Day theme. Note that fleet entries may only be made with special written permission of the Parade Director. Each entry must be substantially decorated with decorations visible on both sides. For special fleet entries, each boat in the fleet must be substantially decorated with decorations visible on both sides. Advertising is limited to two equal signs (one port; one starboard), with letters no higher than 18 inches, and the sign no longer than 10 feet. Only the sponsor's name, logo and Web site (no phone numbers) may appear on the sign. The sign shall not identify any yacht club. For fleet entries, only one boat of the fleet may display signage. Burgees may be flown in accordance with normal flag etiquette. Acceptance of entries is at the sole discretion of the current Seattle Yacht Club Commodore.

Working Boats

Open only to actual commercial working boats. Each entry is limited to one boat. This class will not be decorated. No advertising messages or phone numbers will be allowed other than corporate identification consisting of two equal signs (one port; one starboard) with letters no higher than 18 inches, and the sign no longer than 10 feet. Only the business name and logo is allowed. This is strictly enforced. Each entry will be judged on the following categories: hull condition, paint and brightwork, consistent attire of crew, adherence to established class rules and total overall impression.

The panel of Judges is selected from military installations, and Art organizations around Puget Sound. Their decision is final. Take-home Trophy Plaques remain with the winning skipper(s), and are awarded as follows:

Parking and Security

With Opening Day weekend fast approaching, it is important to keep in mind that parking will be more restricted this year. SYC members must show membership card to park in SYC or Fisheries parking lots.It is important to remember to carpool and do plan to use both the Museum of History and Industry parking lots as well as the University of Washington south parking lot where van service will be provided for our members and guests.

Parking for the Friday noon lunch will be especially limited. Please plan ahead. Remember to observe all signs. Fire lanes must be kept clear at all times.

Keep security uppermost in your mind. Don’t let a perfect weekend be spoiled by the loss of valuables. Stow them out of sight, or better yet, leave them at home. While the lots will be monitored, they will be monitored by mere humans. And bad things sometimes happen. Not everyone on the premises will be a SYC member!

Mark Mayer Opening Day Race & Reception - Sunday, May 7, 2017, Noon

Parade Instructions

Welcome. These are instructions for vessel participation in the 2017 Seattle Yacht Club Opening Day Parade.

If you want to participate in the Opening Day Parade, follow these instructions. You will find the following sections below: General Guidelines, Registration, Boat Numbers, Dates and Times, Day of the Parade, Awards and Safety Considerations. Print these instructions. Read them well before the day of the parade and bring them with you to Opening Day.

General Guidelines

Opening Day Parade activities begin at the Seattle Yacht Club before sunrise and end late Saturday evening, May 6, 2017. The Boat Parade itself begins at noon in Portage Bay at the West end of the Montlake Cut and ends at approximately 3:00 p.m. at Webster Point. A more detailed time line is set forth below.

A vessel may not participate in the Opening Day Parade unless it registers using the SYC Opening Day Registration Web site. All vessels must register no later than Thursday, April 27, 2017. Vessels not successfully registered will not be allowed to participate in the parade. Prior to registering, review the definitions of classes on the SYC Web site. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to select a "class", i.e. the group or section of parade within which you will participate.

Receiving a parade invitation does not constitute registration. You must register even if you have received a verbal or written invitation from SYC. Parade registration does not include moorage. You may also request moorage on the SYC Website registration page.

Every vessel in the parade must display a 2017 Opening Day Boat Number. Vessels without 2017 Opening Day Boat Numbers will not be allowed to participate in the parade. See below for more information on boat numbers, how to get one, and where it must be displayed.

All participating boat owners must agree to decorate or exhibit their boat in accordance with class definitions. The Parade Director has the authority to hold back any vessels not in accordance with the class definitions.

No religious or political signs of any sort are permitted.

Entrants are responsible for removal of litter or decorations left in water.

Limited commercial signs are allowed only in the Decorated Commercial class. Please contact the Parade Director for signage approval if you intend on displaying a commercial sign on a vessel registered in this class.

Registration Procedure

Registration closes: 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April 27, 2017.

Boat Numbers

Boat Numbers are preprinted and consist of a letter and number, e.g. B 12, C 4.

Every vessel in the parade must display a 2017 Opening Day Boat Number. Vessels without 2017 Opening Day Boat Numbers, including those attempting to reuse a previous year’s boat number, will not be allowed to participate in the parade.

The skipper, or other designated representative, must pick up their vessel’s boat numbers from the Seattle Yacht Club prior to the day of the parade. For registered vessels, boat numbers are available to be picked up at the Seattle Yacht Club on the following dates and times:

Each vessel will receive two boat numbers. One must be displayed on the starboard bow as close to the stem as possible. The second must be displayed on the stern, facing aft. If you have a dinghy on your transom, display the boat number on the bottom of your dinghy facing aft.

Each boat number issued by the Seattle Yacht Club will be assigned to only one vessel. You must display the boat number assigned to your vessel; do not switch boat numbers with other vessels or neither vessel will be allowed to participate in the parade.

All skippers are required to monitor VHF Channel 68 for updates and instructions from the Parade Director. All vessels participating in the parade are required to have and use a working VHF radio. Fleet entries are exempt as long as the Fleet Leader has a radio and is actively monitoring VHF channel 68, and is able to pass parade instructions to their fleet members in a timely manner. Individual and Fleet entries without VHF radios will not be allowed to participate. The Parade Director's official vessel is the PORTAGE BAY. It will be anchored at the West entrance to Montlake Cut, just north of SYC Dock 4. All parade entries are required to monitor VHF Channel 68 while operating in the Portage Bay Restricted Area and Parade Route from 0940 to 1500.

Seattle Yacht Club Parade Marshals will patrol Portage Bay and the parade route. Each skipper will immediately follow all instructions from the Parade Marshals and law enforcement officers. The Parade Director has the authority to use official action if any skipper fails to follow the instructions of the Parade Marshals.

The Southeast end of Portage Bay and the parade route (Montlake Cut) will be closed to all but official parade boats from 9:40 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. (this means everyone - no dinghies, rafts, kayaks, SUPs, etc.). Boats wishing to transit the operation area may do so until 9:40 a.m. This means that you will not be allowed to transit Montlake Cut to Webster Point in either direction between 9:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Any vessel without an assigned and visible Parade Number operating in this area will be directed to leave immediately by the Parade Marshals.

At 9:40 a.m. the Parade Director will halt all traffic in Portage Bay between the University Bridge and Webster Point. No entry to, or exiting from, the North log boom will be allowed between 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., as crew races will be in progress. If you are participating in the parade and coming from Lake Washington, you must be completely through Montlake Cut and into Portage Bay prior to 9:40 a.m. If you do not make it, you will not be allowed to participate in the parade.

The parade will start on orders from the Parade Director. The lead boats may include vessels from the United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, King County Sheriff and Seattle Police Department.

Thereafter the parade will continue alphabetically by class, i.e. Class A, Class B, Class C, etc. Vessels are not required to transit by number within their class, i.e. B 06 may transit before B 04. Skippers must continue to monitor VHF Ch. 68 at all times for directions from the Parade Director on staging, spacing, special maneuvers and other information relevant to the parade. Be ready, but do not move to the area near the entrance to the cut until the Parade Director calls your group.

Steer a straight course, with the bow going in a forward direction. Keep parade tight, one to two boat lengths between boats. Maintain not less than five knots and NO turns off course until clear of Webster Point. Special maneuvering will be allowed only for the Wilson Seamanship Fleet or as granted by the Parade Director. If you wish to obtain permission for special maneuvering, please contact the Parade Director well before Opening Day to discuss your plans. Obey the instructions of the Parade Director and the official marshal patrol boats.

The last boat in the parade, the City of Seattle Fire Boat, will enter the east end of the Montlake Cut at approximately 2:30 p.m., transit to the East end of the parade route, turn, and transit back to Portage Bay. No vessels will be allowed though the cut until after the Seattle Fire Boat has transited back West through the Montlake Cut.

After the parade ends, boats will be allowed to travel the cut East to West only for approximately 1/2 to 1 hour, then will change to both directions. The Seattle Police Harbor Patrol will be running the traffic control, please stay on the right side of the cut in your travel direction. The Montlake Bridge will be opening only on the 1/2 and full hour for sailboats and larger vessels.

Awards

All boats competing for awards must pass through Montlake Cut (West to East).

Each skipper will execute a Right Hand Salute upon arriving at the first reviewing boat (Admiral of the Day) holding salute until past the third review boat (SYC Commodore). Do not salute with the American Flag (don't dip the flag).

The Judges' vessel will be anchored in the reviewing line, just past the Admiral of the Day's boat and will be clearly identified.

Safety Considerations

HOMELAND SECURITY: Please help us honor and respect the security forces that will be working to support this event. All vessels in the parade must pre-register with the Seattle Yacht Club and display a valid boat number. Do not exchange boat numbers, try to use numbers from previous years, etc. Any boat not displaying a valid 2017 boat number that matches the boat name as registered will be considered a security threat, and will be removed from the parade by security forces.

All emergency communication should be transmitted on VHF Ch. 16 or via cell phone 911. Non-emergency communication with the Parade Director should be conducted on VHF Ch. 68.

Boating Safety: SYC encourages parade participants to model good boating safety by following the U.S.C.G. Federal PFD Regulation for Children: THE REGULATIONS ESTABLISH A FEDERAL REQUIREMENT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13 YEARS OLD ABOARD RECREATIONAL VESSELS TO WEAR COAST GUARD-APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFDS), WHILE THE VESSEL IS UNDER WAY, UNLESS THE CHILDREN ARE BELOW DECK OR IN AN ENCLOSED CABIN.

A $2,500 fine and/or jail sentence could result from throwing water balloons or any other objects from your boat.

In keeping with the Seattle Yacht Club's strict policy of protecting our environment, please be ecologically minded by refraining from using overboard discharge heads, releasing balloons, using plastic streamers or in any way polluting our waterways.

Due to the ongoing construction of the new SR520 bridge, there are numerous construction zones that are 'off limits' to boaters in the vicinity of the bridge. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these zones and keep clear. You may review this information by following thislink to the WSDOT website. Follow this link for a pdf file of the construction area, which clearly depicts the 'no-go' zones.

The Seattle Yacht Club looks forward to your participation in the 2016 Opening Day Parade.

Press Information

Press Center

A colorful and traditional rite of spring, the only one of its kind in the world, brings many people to Seattle's inland waterways on May 6 as boaters celebrate Opening Day of the boating season. Spectators crowd the shorelines of Seattle's Portage Bay and Montlake Cut as boats, many of them decorated, parade past judges and spectators watching aboard boats anchored along the parade route.

There are small boats, motorboats, rowing and paddleboats, sailboats, antique boats and mega-yachts in the annual Opening Day parade sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club. There are racing shells from top-caliber collegiate and international rowing teams. This year's races will feature teams from around the country and the world competing in the 2017 Windermere Cup Crew Races.

Seattle Fire Department boats move by in a cloud of spray, as well as sailboats with spinnakers flying. Two small flotillas of yachts carrying members from the University of Washington Husky and Washington State University Cougar Marching Bands set the musical tempo for the day.

Participating yachts will decorate to this year's theme: "Emerald City Aahs!."

Opening Day in Seattle is a family affair - families decorate their boats for the festivities and parades, families spread blankets on the shoreline and spend hours watching and picnicking.

The boating season never officially ends in the Puget Sound area. There may be less extended cruising during the blustery, wet days of winter, but the faithful keep sailing. Opening Day, however, kicks off the happy spring and summer days of boating for many avid boaters in this area.

Sponsored annually by the Seattle Yacht Club, Opening Day can trace its roots to a Fourth of July celebration on Seattle's waterfront in 1895. In 1920, shortly after the Lake Washington Ship Canal was completed, linking Seattle's inland lakes with Puget Sound, the celebration moved to the fresh waters of the ship canal, Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut.

Opening Day offers some outstanding photo and story opportunities. You'll not find anything like it in the United States or, to our knowledge, anywhere in the world. The only comparable event is an annual parade of commercial vessels in Venice, Italy.

There are lots of story possibilities in the weeks prior to Opening Day as families and friends and businesses decorate yachts, and racing crews from around the world practice for Saturday's regatta.

We'd be pleased to help you cover Opening Day events in Seattle. We think it's a unique celebration offering a great time and a good story.

Press Opportunities

View the Crew Races and Parade on the SYC Press Boat

Departing the dock immediately after the 9:00 a.m. commissioning ceremony on the Seattle Yacht Club lawn, head out on a beautiful volunteer yacht with front row seats to the Windermere Cup Crew Races and the 2017 "Emerald City Aahs!" Boat Parade. Yacht returns to SYC at the end of the parade, around 3:00 p.m. A day on the Press Boat offers front row (boat) seat photo opportunities as well as information about parade entries. By reservation only. Call (206) 617-9049 or email odsycpress@gmail.com.

Parade Director's View

The Seattle Yacht Club boat Portage Bay, provides an excellent viewing platform for the press anchored near the finish line of the crew races and the starting area of the boat parade. The Portage Bay is the nerve center for the Parade Director, Marshal boats, USCG and Harbor Patrol. It gives a unique, inside look into how the parade is actually put together and executed.

Cruise the Log Boom

On Friday before Opening Day, you and your crew can be escorted on a volunteer yacht to cruise the waterway, through the Montlake Cut, and to the log boom to photograph and film enthusiastic Opening Day spectators. This is a popular cruise for some of our local weather reporters, and spots fill up quickly. Marshal boats will be available on Opening Day. By reservation only. Call (206) 617-9049 or email odsycpress@gmail.com.

Broadcast or Tape from the SYC Docks, Lawn or Parking Lot

Decorated boats from visiting yacht clubs make the Seattle Yacht Club a picturesque backdrop for taping or broadcasting information about Opening Day and the crew races. The Seattle Yacht Club is private property and all press must register in advance at the Front Desk of the Club and be escorted on the property at all times.

Interview the Admiral, Vice Admiral or Admiralette

This year's Trio of Opening Day officers is available for press conferences, TV, print and radio interviews. Please contact the Press Chair Michelle Sailor at (206) 617-9049. The Trio will be in attendance at the press conference with Windermere Foundation and Washington Huskies Athletics Department typically held on the Wednesday before Opening Day.

Broadcast or Tape from an SYC Boat

Press Committee members can arrange member volunteers and their boats to be available for interviews and broadcast/taping locations. The Seattle Yacht Club is private property and all press must register in advance at the Front Desk of the Club and be escorted on the property at all times. Contact the SYC Press Committee at odsycpress@gmail.com.

Photographs or Taping in the SYC Clubhouse

The Seattle Yacht Club is private property and all press must registers in advance at the Front Desk of the Club and be escorted on the property at all times. Press photographs or taping is not permitted inside the Club, however, with advance notice, and depending on the time, special arrangements may be made. Contact the SYC Press Committee at odsycpress@gmail.com.

Feature a Parade Class in Your Publication

Parade entrants are generally eager to talk about their parade entries in the Opening Day Boat Parade. In the past, many successful features have been done on entries with historical significance, unusual designs or interesting ownership histories.

Parking at the Seattle Yacht Club

As you can imagine, parking at the Seattle Yacht Club and on neighboring streets can be quite difficult during Opening Day activities on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To ensure you get the press parking priority you deserve in exchange for covering our event, contact the Club at (206) 325-1000.